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The renovation of Palazzo a Vela, indispensable to equip the structure with the functional and safety requirements necessary for hosting the figure skating and short track events, in view of the Winter Olympics being held in Torino in 2006, is bound to change and upgrade the building and its functions, as well as the character of the area. Due to the Olympics, parts of the city are undergoing modernization and renewal correlated with the transformation and development of infrastructures that will remain as a public investment, beyond the Olympic event itself.
The Palavela attracts special attention and surprise for its structural characteristics and for its size. The building, with a hexagonal base inscribed in a circle with a diameter of 130m, is composed of a reinforced sail-like structure constructed on three arches close to one another, turned 120 degrees to each other and fastened to the ground on three of the six vertices of the hexagon.
It is difficult to detect the "limit" between architecture and engineering in this building. What strikes us is the huge space in the interior surrounded by the glass walls on the sides and the intersection of the three vaults of the roof. Here we have an unusual architecture, difficult to divide and break up, a closed space that draws its force from its coherency bordering abstraction. It is without any doubt a landmark for the city, characterising one of its districts, and a true monument.
The notice of competition has two main objectives: restoration of the Palavela and localization in its interior of the Olympic events of figure skating and short track, with stands for 8,000/10,000 people, lift and service bays, and later post-Olympic use of the venue as a multi-purpose facility, run by the Municipality of Torino, with the construction of a floor at level 8.00m to increase functionality, versatility and enable an eventual separation in two separate structures.
On the whole, the intervention must also ensure that all the requirements of functionality, quality and safety are met, both for the Olympic and post-Olympic periods.
The functional and distributive requirements of the notice of competition, the need to have separate entrances for the Authorities and the general public, the varied distribution of seating, and the requirements concerning post-Olympic use, building management costs (reduction of internal volume) and fire prevention measures seem to us in agreement with the decision to work within the Palavela for a new building that is complete, autonomous and independent.
The building is made up of two structures next to each other, with roofing at different heights, connected by a netlike spatial roof: The southeast/southwest structure is intended for spectators of sectors 1 and 2 (8,306 spectators) and the northeast/northwet structure for the Olympic Family, athletes and the Media (1,062 spectators), for a total of 9,368 spectators.
The choice to construct a building with two main structures next to each other with roofing at different levels is closely linked to the geometry of the existing sail-like structure, which makes it possible to increase the height only near the central parts of the arches on which the sail itself is built.
On the other hand, height can be limited as the distance from its supports decreases, and the floor plan must necessarily be kept at a distance from them.
The result is an asymmetrical construction inside a building that has its own axial configuration, which relates with it and reveals different perspectives from different angles.
In fact, the building shows those walking along Via Ventimigla two different fronts, characterised by angular and not frontal views. A first more compact view, with a constant height, stressed by the succession of external stairways appears to us going along the road from south to north, while, from north to south, the building reveals its complexity of different volumes that make up the north block and its relation with the wider structure of the stands for the public.

LOCATION

Palavela is located in the southeast part of Torino, in the area between Corso Unità d'Italia and Via Ventimiglia, on the left bank of the River Po.
The building is set in an area intended in part for a parking lot and in part for a public park, located about three kilometres from the city centre, to which it is connected by a dense network of public transport.
The area is connected directly to the nearby Lingotto complex in the Nizza Millefonti area.
Access is guaranted by the South Ring Road both from the Torino-Savona and Torino-Piacenza and the Torino-Milano and Torino-Aosta motorways.
The facility is situated so as to allow access and manoeuvring of emergency vehicles and the possibility of evacuation towards adjacent areas.
The exit roads are distributed on all four sides and the outward flow of people is ensured by a pedestrian path around the perimeter.
Service and emergency vehicles are also ensured access both at the public entrance (level 0.00) and at the level of the ice sheet (level –1.75) by a vehicle entrance with a maximum gradient of 7%.

ENTRIES AND EXITS TO THE FACILITY AND EXTERNAL DIVISIONS
Entries and exits to the facility are determined by the division into exit sectors planned for the public:

Public sector 1
Public sector 2
Athletes
Olympic Family and Media
“Turin Marathon” and Technical service rooms

Entry to the enclosed area of the facility for the public in sectors 1 and 2 is planned from Via Ventimiglia.
The spectators in sector 1 enter the facility at level 0.00 covering the difference in level with the existing level (4.11m) with a double system of symmetrical ramps with stairs, covered in asphalt with stone stringcourses, which direct the public in the direction of the planned entrances.
A ramp for the disabled is planned on the side of the ramp with stairs towards the south, and it is also directly accessible from Via Ventimiglia.
A bridge entrance leads directly from Via Ventimiglia, up to the first level of the facility, which is at level 4.00.
The spectators of sector 2 reach the facility by following the road, perpendicular to Via Ventimiglia, which crosses the park near to the area of the Palavela to the south. Two passageways of 4 modules are planned along the enclosure that divides the park from the Palavela to enter/exit sector 2. Another 2 passageways of four modules and two passageways of two modules are necessary for the exit of sector 2. Three passageways are also planned with two modules for the exit from sector 1.
The entrances for the athletes, the Olympic Family, the Media and for the management of the facility are all from the parking area located north of the Palavela in the following sequence:

- Vehicle entrance for ATHLETES outside the enclosure, entirely protected all the way to the parking lot (20 buses and 4 cars) and to the athletes’ entrance.
- Entry to the parking lot of the Olympic Family (7 buses and 16 cars).
- Pedestrian entry and exit of the Olympic Family and Media to their respective entrances.
- Entry to the parking lot of the Media (15 cars).
- Entry for service vehicles and exit of spectators from sector 1.
- Entrance to the “Turin Marathon” premises and technical service rooms with parking for 4 cars.

SUMMARY OF INDOOR PARKING LOTS

ATHLETES:
Needed: 1,000 sqm. for minibuses (20 minibuses*) + 100 sqm. for cars (4 cars)
Completed: 20 minibuses + 4 cars

OLYMPIC FAMILY:
Needed: 300 sqm. for minibuses (6 minibuses*) + 300 sqm. for cars (12 cars)
Completed: 7 minibuses + 16 cars

MEDIA:
Needed: 600 sqm. for cars (24 cars)
Completed: 15 cars

VENUE MANAGEMENT:
Needed: 100 sqm. for cars (4 cars)
Completed: 4 cars

(*the minibuses are for 20 people.)

A paved loop road of 3.50m surrounds the building and links all related services. The outside area not concerned by the routes will be made a green area: In particular, several existing trees that are in the asphalted areas will be adequately protected.
The area adjacent to the building, surrounded by the asphalt loop road, is paved with Luserna stone slabs (size 100x50cm).
Near the three foundation points of the Palavela three water basins are planned with underwater spotlights to illuminate the vault. The basins also prevent the public from approaching the vault in the areas where it is lowest.
The electricity control room with the main switchboards and refrigeration facility for the sheet surface, control room for the air conditioning system and water treatment, covering a total area of 630 sqm. will be built at the side of the ramp heading north that descends from Via Ventimiglia, near the offices of the “Turin Marathon”.

THE BUILDING FOR FIGURE SKATING AND SHORT TRACK
The main complex with two structures next to each other that make up the building is designed for SEVEN PARALLEL WALLS that support the floors and prefrabricated seating tiers and mark the main areas, and for the PERIMETRAL BOUNDARY WALLS.
The parting walls are in reinforced rough concrete cast in metallic caissons. Special attention will be given to the size of the openings necessary for installing the air conditioning ducts, in addition to the housing envisaged for lamps, speakers and relevant electrical connections.
The reinforced concrete parting walls will be protected with transparent acrylic paint.
The outer boundary walls are also in reinforced concrete cast in metallic caissons, treated as the parting walls, and then painted with RAL 3013 red colour protective acrylic paint.
Particular attention and protection must be dedicated to these walls and parting walls during construction, before final painting.
Near the corners of the buildings, the outer walls are angled 45° jutting inside the building, marking the north boundary of the two main structures: public seating tiers on one side and the Olympic Family block on the other.
The stands, which are of a different size and height, are divided into sectors, in this case arranged on three levels on the side of the Olympic Family, Media and Athletes. On the three levels on the side of the general public, they will be built with prefabricated cement components starting from the edges of the skating rink that is 30m x 60m, marked by a line of setback of 3.00, to the top of the building. On the other hand, the second level of seating tiers for the public, the one that is located at level 4.00, is planned with a removable metal structure since it will be removed at the end of the Olympic event, to be able to complete the flooring at 8.00 planned for multi-functional post-Olympic use of the building.
The seating tiers are arranged according to the curve with the best visibility.
The roof over the end of the skating rink and the three levels of seating tiers is a steel netlike spatial structure built at level 16.33. This roof has a maximum height of 3.40m and is crossed by metal gangways with grated walkways, which house the technical services for the large hall: lighting system, sound system and the scoreboard.
The roof is also crossed by air ducts for the sheet, which will be covered in shiny metal sheeting.
The netlike spatial structure is treated with a zinc finish.
The sound absorbent and soundproof roof block, which finishes the netlike structure, is composed of a sequence of two layers of soundproofing material, air space and by an external insulated panel in steel painted in RAL 6000 green for thermal insulation.
The air ducts for air circulation in the large hall are located in the roof block.
The acoustic panels facing the interior of the hall are finished with aluminium sheet panels.
The other roofs of the building, planned at different heights, are normal flat roofs with insulation and waterproofing or aluminum glass walls with thermal cutting.
Illumination is planned on the roofs for the vault of the Palavela.

ENTRANCES AND FUNCTIONAL DIVISIONS
The main entrances to the building for the public in sectors 1 and 2 are divided as follows:

- GROUND FLOOR (level 0.00)
Direct entrances to the Grand Hall planned on the south side. In the Hall are the prefabricated stalls intended for information and sale booths, toilet facilities and two areas set aside for refreshment services. From the Grand Hall, one enters directly to the first level of seating tiers for the public through entryways located near the entrances along the main axis and another two entryways located on the side corridors.
On the ground floor a Blue Cross / Red Cross medical station is also planned for the public.
The flooring of the hall is in epoxy resin.
The acousitc false ceilings, which mask the electrical wiring ducts and air conditioning ducts, are in perforated aluminium sheet alternated with unperforated sheeting where there are lights, speakers and fire detectors.
The floors and walls of the bathrooms are in single-fired white 10x10 tiles.

- FIRST FLOOR (level 4.00).
From level 0.00, across the internal glassed stairways located south and the diagonal stairway located northeas, one enters directly to the hall at level 4.00. Eight lifts for the disabled and stretcher lifts, also directly connected to the hall at level 4.00, are planned.
The entrance hall can also be reached from Via Ventimiglia, via the planned connecting bridge. The various entries to the second level of seating tiers begin from the hall, which also has toilet facilities for the public and a refreshment area in the centre.
At the northeast, a first aid station is planned for the public and a refreshment storage area, in addition to an available free space. Finishing of floors and false ceilings and toilet facilities is the same as the Hall and ground floor.

- SECOND FLOOR (level 8.00)
From level 0.00, by means of the lifts and external stairways built in reinforced concrete (south / southeast / southwest), one enters the hall directly at level 8.00, where the entrances to the seating tiers are located.
On this floor there will also be toilet facilities, a first aid station for the public, a store room refreshment storage area and two refreshment areas, located symmetrically within the diagonal walls to the south and covered with glass partitions in aluminium with thermal cutting.
The finishing of the floors, false ceilings and toilet facilities are the same as the hall of the ground floor.

- ATHLETES
There are two entrances for the athletes and for the trainers, planned on the ground floor directly from their parking lot. The first through two diagonal corner walls at the northeast and the second with an opening connecting the mixed zone.
From the mixed zone, where journalists may interview the athletes as they leave the sheet, the lounge with glass roof and first aid station for athletes and antidoping can be reached (Blue / Red Medical Station).
An internal corridor, connected to the mixed zone, leads to - in this order - the make-up and tailoring room, the trainers’ locker room, an available free room and six locker rooms, equipped with bathrooms, showers, massage room / heating and saunas.
The floors of the areas set aside for the athletes are in rubber and the false ceilings are made with large plaster squares painted with white water-based paint. The walls are painted white. Toilet facilities and showers have single-fired white tiles. The false ceilings of the mixed zone are planned in perforated aluminium sheet.
A ramp with large steps covered with rubber leads to the locker room area, through the mixed zones all the way to the ice sheet.
From the main entrance the athletes can enter level 4.00 of the Olympic Family block, where the pressroom and an interview room are located. A stand section at level 0.0 is planned for the athletes (200 seats).

OLYMPIC FAMILY AND MEDIA

- GROUND FLOOR (level 0.00)
There are entrances on the ground floor for the Olympic Family, the Media, ISU/Judges and for the public gallery at 8.00 (sponsors, media, etc.), two for each group.
They lead to the three lounges: one of 256 sqm. for the Olympic Family, the other two of 123 sqm. for the Media and for the ISU/Judges.
The lounges have a roof and outer wall built with glass partitions in pre-painted aluminium with thermal cutting in RAL 6000 green. The internal wall panels are in insulated plasterboard and are painted with white water-based paint. The floors are in epoxy resin.
Next to the media and ISU lounges are the offices of the Olympic Family.

ISU President’s Office
Secretary’s Office
Judges’ Office
Protocol Office
Office of ceremonies
N. 2 Results management offices
CCR Office
Information Office
BTP.PBX.CATV Office
Venue Operations Office
Competition Manager’s Office

The following corridor leads to the judges’ locker room, toilet facilities and entrances to the seating tiers for the Olympic Family (598 seats) and Athletes (200 seats).
Three storerooms for the lounges are also planned.
The office area adjacent to the lounges is divided with white-painted plasterboard walls, which can eventually be removed after the Olympic event, so as to obtain large unified rooms.

- FIRST FLOOR (level 4.00).
From level 0.00, by means of two internal three-way side stairways with lifts for the disabled, is the entry leading to the rooms set aside for the media: press room, interview room and an open space work area.
The pressroom will be equipped with 200 tables for the media and with the necessary telecommunication connections.
The walls that mark the boudnary of these rooms are in plasterboard painted with water-based paint, and they too, like the offices for the Olympic Family, can be removed to obtain a single large unified space.
Large square rubber-finished flooring is planned. The false ceilings are in perforated aluminium sheeting.
From the corridor there is also access to two side areas set aside for toilet facilities and technical service rooms, and to the media stand, where 264 equipped tables are planned (45x80cm) for journalists, with the necessary telecommunication connections.

- SECOND FLOOR (level 8.00)
From level 0.00, by means of two stairways and lifts for the disabled located inside the towers, there is access to the hall at level 8.00, with glass covered roof, which is equipped with toilet facilities for the public, a refreshment area and locker rooms and toilet facilities for restaurant staff.
From the hall there is access to the seating tiers at level 8.00, set aside for the media, sponsors, etc.
The flooring of the hall, like the others, is in epoxy resin.
The scoreboard control booth and the sound control room are located on the sides of the stand, at level 8.00. Another two rooms are planned at level 11.08 for lighting control and TV control in addition to two technical rooms.

VENUE AND STORE ROOM MANAGEMENT
The entrance to the areas of venue management is located on the northwest end of the building.
Two locker rooms for staff members are planned at level 0.00. The locker rooms have tiled floors and walls and false ceilings are in large square plaster panels.
The three-way stairway located at the side of the entrance leads to the venue management offices, safety office, CED office and the laboratory, at level 4.00.
A rubber-finished floating floor, white-painted walls and false ceilings in large square plaster panels painted white are planned for the offices.
The storerooms, located at the northwest end, are directly connected to the asphalted ring road planned around the building at level 0.00. The storerooms have vehicle entrances.
A garage for the ice-smoothing machines is planned adjacent to the storerooms connected to the ice sheet.

THE DISABLED
Spaces for the disabled are calculated at 0.5% of the total number of spectators, resulting in 50 spots.